The Edmonton Oilers have a need to add in net this summer, that is no secret. But, the team still could use some help to add a scoring punch down their roster.
Luckily, there are a few veteran powerforwards who have hit the open market who could fill that need well. There is always risk when signing players over 35 but with the possible incentives and given their profiles, they may come cheap enough for it to be a worthwhile gamble.
Anders Lee
The soon to be 36 year old Anders Lee is leaving the only team he has known, the New York Islanders for greener pastures at the twilight of his career. He is likely chasing a Stanley Cup and he may see the Oilers as one of his best bets.
He was one of the game’s top scoring powerforwards throughout his career and has scored over 300 goals and 500 points and played 923 career games. He enters the free agent market having hovered around a 40-50 point pace consistently over his career and even the past few seasons.
Given his age, the style of play and already relatively limited production, there is genuine fear that Lee could see his production decline dramatically at any point. However, he would be able to bring some veteran leadership and having served as captain of the Islanders for the past eight seasons. If the dollar figure is right on a short term deal, Lee could make sense for the Oilers.Â
Jamie Benn
Another veteran powerforward and former captain in Jamie Benn is 36 years old and is testing the free agent waters. He is a player who is likely to choose a Stanley Cup contending destination and what better than a team that has beaten him in the Western Conference Finals.
Benn has seen his production dip year-over-year and is coming off a season where he scored 15 goals and 21 assists for 36 points in 60 games. Just two seasons removed from scoring 21 goals and 60 points in 82 games, it is unclear how much gas Benn has left in the tank. In an increased role inside the Oilers top-nine or as a passenger alongside Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl, they might be able to extract a little more offence out of him.
Similar to Lee, there is risk with Benn given the profile and on a short term deal of one or two years at a reasonable cap hit, he could be a valuable contributor to the Oilers as they try to bounce back. He is coming off a one-year deal that paid him $1 million with the Stars, if he can come in around there or maybe $1 million or two more, he could be a worthwhile bet.
James Van Riemsdyk
As the end of his career nears, 37 year old James Van Riemsdyk has become a bit of a journeyman having spent each of the past four seasons with a different club. He has had stays with the Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Detroit Red Wings showing consistent scoring and healthy play.
He has been able to log over 70 games played each of the past three seasons and scoring 30-40 points. He is coming off a season with the Red Wings where he has scored 15 goals and 16 assists for 31 points in 72 games. Throughout his career he has been known as an impact player in tight, scoring goals off tips and second chance opportunities, something that could mesh well with the Oilers. He also has familiarity with Oilers forward Zach Hyman and newly named head coach Mike Babcock.Â
Van Riemsdyk is coming off a one-year deal worth $1 million, if he is willing to take that contract again, given it is below the burial limit, it could be a good gamble on a reliable veteran for the Oilers.
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